MINISTRY - 2000 SEASON

This fall was a rough one for the Browns but a banner season for Corey Fuller
As a fan, it's been hard for us to watch the Browns lose. We get so frustrated, sometimes we maliciously blame the players or coaches.   This year, we watched that happened, yet knew how some of the players, like Corey, endured a lot more than losing.  Because of injuries that depleted the Browns of many of their starters, Corey played virtually the whole season seriously hurt instead of taking time off.  For example, in the preseason he developed turf toe that never healed the entire season.  Similar cases of turf toe kept other Browns players off the field, but Corey competed in 15 of the 16 games.  In addition, he suffered cracked ribs and a serious shoulder injury.  Though this affected his ability to do all that he knows he can do, he still had a solid season which included three interceptions.  Throughout the season, Corey kept his injured status from the media for the most part, while continuing to lead on the field through his work ethic and toughness.  The one game he missed was the first one of his career and he never made any excuses to the reporters when questioned about his own personal performance.

Also going unnoticed, was Corey's work with TEAM JAM youth.  Every other week during the season, Corey hosted us at his home for JAM Sessions.  The first session was visited by only 7 young men, but the remaining sessions were attended by an average of 20 young men in the greater Akron area. Many of the young men were motivated to walk closer to Christ and a couple of young men asked Christ to be their Savior.  The last session was even attended by several of Corey's friends and Tim Drew of the Cleveland Indians.  Tim was excited to see what Corey was doing and desires to imitate it himself, both at home and during the season, whereever he is at.

Corey's teammate, Damon Dunn, who joined him in
sharing at the JAM Sessions

Corey improved on his previous season with the Browns by finishing with 3 interceptions and improved overall play.  After competing for winning programs like Florida State and the Minnesota Vikings, Corey does not take to losing easily.  Still, he has tried harder than ever to represent Christ with his overall walk.

Continue to pray for Corey and to continue to check into this page for video clips we took of some of the sessions.

Corey (#24) takes a brief break with the rest of the defense while the offense
is on the field.

Browns Defensive Back 
Corey Fuller makes surprise appearance at Akron Buchtel basketball banquet. 

On Thursday night, March 30th, Corey Fuller and local football legend Ricky Powers (Buchtel and Michigan U. football) made a surprise appearance at Buchtel's basketball banquet. Corey spoke for TEN powerful minutes about the importance of education, hard work, respect for parents, and the importance of God in their lives.  
Ask those in attendance about the impact this visit had on their lives and why his message was responded to with a rousing, standing ovation.

Appearances for TEAM JAM in 1999

Spoke to the Medina County Hall of Fame Banquet. Took pictures with athletes and signed autographs.

Spoke to Hudson's Hope Community Church and their soccer program (200 plus kids and their families) and the closing ceremonies for free. Signed autographs.

Autograph appearances at Chapel Hill Mall and Strongsville's Southpark Mall to help raise money for Akron's TEAM JAM.

Voluntarily spoke to Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Home (unit 2a).

Opened up his home for a youth Bible Study, jointly led with TEAM JAM. 

As of December 20th, there have been five studies.

The first one involved 5 students and coaches from Firestone HS.

The second one involved 18 students from Garfield and Firestone HS's.

The third - involved 23 students from Garfield, Firestone, St. V.,Cuy. Falls and Cleveland South.

The fourth- involved 38 students from Garfield, Firestone, Medina,Highland and Manchester HS's.

The fifth one involved 19 students at the Holiday Inn in Hudson. Included students from Ravenna, Strongsville, Hudson, Garfield and two colleges. He also brought Laverneous Coles with him.
The Christian Rap Singers, "Divine Soldiers", also joined us at this one.